Orgill turned in a strong first-quarter performance, with sales growth exceeding industry benchmarks despite market uncertainties, says CEO Boyden Moore. The company is managing tariffs well, has many store projects and conversions in the pipeline, has modernized its Tifton, Ga., distribution center and is set to open a 500,000-square-foot innovation center. The company's Central Network Retail Group division has also announced that Craig Cowart will become president, replacing John Sieggreen, who is retiring.

Home Depot has reportedly entered the bidding for building products distributor GMS with an offer of an undisclosed amount. The move puts Home Depot in competition with Brad Jacobs' QXO, which has made a $5 billion bid and indicated it would pursue a hostile takeover if its unsolicited bid is rejected. GMS operates upward of 300 distribution centers and sells products including tools, wallboard, steel framing and gypsum.

Companies are increasingly shifting contract management responsibilities from legal departments to operations and finance teams, writes Matt Lhoumeau, co-founder and CEO of Concord. By integrating contract management with operations, companies aim to leverage contracts for strategic business decisions and process improvements, Lhoumeau writes.

Supply chain professionals are considering just-in-case inventory management alongside just-in-time strategies amid 2025's geopolitical uncertainties and severe weather events. While just-in-time focuses on efficiency and minimal inventory, just-in-case involves maintaining larger stockpiles to meet sudden demand, despite higher storage costs.

Maersk's YouTube strategy involves using the platform as a key B2B marketing tool and the brand has successfully attracted over 134,000 subscribers and more than 30 million views by effectively leveraging the platform's capabilities. Maersk utilizes its channel to host videos on a wide range of topics, including decarbonization and logistics, and uses livestreaming for significant events. Additionally, Maersk incorporates podcasts into its content strategy, further enhancing reach and engagement.

A Harris Poll for Madison Logic finds that 96% of B2B marketing leaders are updating strategies due to economic challenges, AI integration and a generational shift. The survey highlights increased investment in AI for lead generation and analytics, with 76% seeing AI as more valuable for B2B than B2C. Millennials and Generation Z marketers are noted for their digital savvy and influence on the industry.

CFOs increasingly see marketing as a growth driver, yet many companies still sideline it amid economic uncertainties, according to a McKinsey report. The report highlights the importance of alignment between chief marketing officers, chief financial officers and chief executive officers, noting that companies with a single customer-focused executive grow faster.

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